A Special Thanks To Image Comics and NetGalley for the ARC.
We’re jumping into another world of horror. One that is filled with beauty, mystery, and suspense. Mirka Andolfo (Unnatural, Sweet Paprika, Hex Wives) brings us back to the Nineteenth Century with Mercy: The Fair Lady, The Frost, and The Fiend. A suspenseful tale filled with mystery, lust, and drama.
This Gothic Tale finds us traveling to Washington State in the late nineteenth century, a time when America was coming off the midst of the Civil War, where the abolitionism movement had great success, which saw the end of slavery in the United States, thanks to people such as Harriet Tubman and Abraham Lincoln. The Women Sufferage Movement was picking up steam and finally, Scientific discoveries and inventions began to increase exponentially. But our focus draws us into the era of the Klondike Gold Rush! An era that brought a profound impact on land, economic development, and native communities amid the discovery of Gold in the Yukon territory.
It’s been a few years since the Swanson mine was closed following the terrible accident that claimed the lives of so many men and women, including the owners and the city is still struggling in search of a new place on the map of the country.
A mysterious and elegantly wealthy woman named Lady Hellaine arrives in town with her butler, Goodwill, who settles in one of the town’s most elegant mansions in town. The town’s name is Woodsburgh, which is close to the Canadian Border.
No one is aware of the reasons that led such a classy lady to move from Seattle to the small village, but her arrival certainly did not go unnoticed. Especially in the eyes of Lady Swanson, widow of the late mine owner and leading figure of the local bourgeoisie. Lady Hellaine’s plans will bring her on a collision course with the powerful Lady Swanson, who, for reasons not entirely rational, distrusts the newcomer.
Meanwhile, the streets and surroundings of Woodsburgh are flooded in blood: a heinous creature is killing incautious citizens, wreaking havoc on their bodies. Enough to induce local authorities to impose a strict curfew after sunset.
And with the falling of the first snow, the “Woodsburgh Devil”‘s fury seems to have even increased. What’s the connection, if any, between this disturbing presence and the ivory-skinned stranger?
Who’s Lady Hellaine, really? And what’s her secret agenda?
An important note to mention before moving further into this review is that this collects issues one through six. Mirika Andolfo’s script for the first half of the story was riveting, a classic horror tale mixed with a hint of history and science fiction, but I have to stress that it features some things that may make a person uneasy. Other than that, the story stands out on its own without relying solely on shock value or cheap thrills. Andolfo brought what worked so well from her other work such as Unnatural. Aside from the horror, the characters were well-written and interesting, which doesn’t always happen in horror films or stories.
The artwork in the story was another element that worked well for Mercy, it was a blend of Gothic and Victorian tones in each panel. Each expression was drawn well and gave an old monster film vibe to the story. I may play favorites, but her artwork was always a treat to view and admire, always offering subtle nods to her previous works. Mercy felt like an elseworld approach to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, a monster who questioned her mortality and emotions she wasn’t accustomed to.
Mercy: The Fair Lady, The Frost, and The Fiend Is Available Now Where Books Are Sold. Be Sure To Check Out My Other Reviews!
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Final Grade:
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